This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/VWC.2ACI/980.18.1 Message Board Post: There is not a mention of Thomas Cleary, but there are two mentions of Father Prendergast: "In early June 1798 almost the whole of Kildare town was destroyed following and attempt to destroy 'his majesties's troops, the inhabitants almost to a man having left the place'. In Monesterevan in the aftermath of the breakdown of rebellion in the baronies of West and East Offaly, Lord Tyrawley busied himself examining (judging) rebels. On 11 June he arrested Fr Edward Predergast who was tried by Court Martial and subsequently executed. Tyrawley wrote to Cooke in Dublin: "The execution of this man has had a good effect. It was clearly proved that he was at one of the rebel camps encouraging the people with a pistol in his hand and that he gave them absolution tho' they confessed to him that they were United Irishmen..." The death of Prendergast is the best documented case of clerical involvement diring the Kildare rebellion. " ...no 'white terror' gripped Kildare in late July-August. This is largely explained by the fact that such a reaction already occurred during June in the areas of the county where open rebellion quickly dissipated. This is illustrated in the execution of Fr Edward Prendergast at Monesterevan or Col. Campbell's destructive pacification of south Kildare." The sources these came from are: Irish Ecclesiastical Record, 5th series, vol. lxvi (1945), Duff, Monesterevan, to Hewitt, June 8, 1798 (Rebel Papers 620/38/88), and Tyrawley to Cooke, June 13,1798 (Rebel Papers 620/56/192), Musgrave, Rebellions, pp 249-250 all available from the National Archives of Ireland. National Archives of Ireland